Rural Missouri - February 2011 - (Page 3)

C O N T E N T S Features 8 Life behind bars Chocolate is sweet success for this lawyer turned chocolatier Departments 4 Comments National and statewide news 5 Columns Hart to heart 10 A powerful idea Associated Electric celebrates 50 years supplying power to rural people 8 12 Mail Bag Letters from our eaders r 16 Out of the Way Eats Reed’s Bar and Grill 21 Hearth and Home Keepin’ it healthy 22 News Briefs News you can use 14 Angels among us How one handmade angel became a ministry to others for Michael Stephens 18 The store time forgot Hays Ten Mile Store still thrives on memories and traditions 23 For the birds Bluebird trail a labor of love for Beeson family 18 To order a print of this photo, see page 33. 28 Marketplace Classified ads 30 Around Missouri Missouri happenings 32 Neighbors Stover’s sled man 34 Just4Kids Fun stuff from Buddy 24 Out with the old . . . Incandescent bulbs leaving store shelves during the next three years 26 World wide wood Cuba cooperage is known internationally for its wine and bourbon barrels 32 About our cover E ach winter, hundreds of folks across the Show-Me State leave the warmth and comfort of their homes. They travel to a nearby lake or river where they all jump in and take a brief dip. Are they crazy? No, they’re just “freezin’ for a reason,” participating in one of 13 Polar Plunge events to support the year-round activities of Special Olympics Missouri. Since 1996 — when the first Polar Plunge was held at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park — nearly 16,000 Missourians have taken the plunge across the state. In total, they’ve raised more than $3.2 million for Special Olympics, which serves more than 15,000 athletes. The organization is present in nearly every county in Missouri, offering sports training and athletic competition for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. While it’s not a requirement of becoming a “polar bear,” wearing a wacky costume has been part of the fun of the event since the beginning, says Susan Stegeman, who coordinates the events for Special Olympics. The “Golden Plunger” is awarded in several divisions to those who create the most outstanding and memorable costumes. But even if you’re not a superhero like Wonder Woman and the Flash on this month’s cover or an ex-president, like those pictured at left, you can still support Special Olympics. You can choose to “hibernate” and make a donation without jumping in the water. Of the 13 Polar Plunges around Missouri, 11 are held in February. There’s no charge to attend a plunge or watch this dedicated group of people “freezin’ for a reason.” A complete list of this month’s Polar Plunge events around Missouri can be found on page 31 in our events calendar. Call 573-6351660 or visit www.somo.org/plunge for more details. Cover and photo at left by Jason Jenkins FEBRUARY 2011 3 http://www.somo.org/plunge

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - February 2011

Rural Missouri - February 2011
Table of Contents
Comments
Columns
Life Behind Bars
A Powerful Idea
Mail Bag
Angels Among Us
Out Of The Way Eats
The Store Time Forgot
Hearth and Home
News Briefs
For the Birds
Out With the Old...
World Wide Wood
Marketplace
Around Missouri
Neighbors
Just 4 Kids

Rural Missouri - February 2011